Rattling noise under acceleration

[Obo]

Hi, did you ever find a solution for this problem rattle?
I just bought a 2004 pan in mint condition apart from some light corrosion on the left handlebar no damage at all. Only 14000km.
But now I discovered than like you under hard acceleration also a loud rattle,, a metal clattering noise. Under normal light acceleration nothing. I'm worried this would mean damage in the engine? Is this possible?
I bought this 16 year old pan because of the reputation of " bulletproof" bike.
I hope this isn't a serious cost?
Thanks in advance.
Kind regards
Dieter

Hi Dieter and welcome to the forum.
Does it make this same metal clattering under hard acceleration in multiple gears and speeds?
I know mine makes some unhappy noises if I'm in high gear and the RPM's are low and I don't downshift.
If so that might be normal-ish engine noise.
The other causes could be something loose / rubbing so spend some time just checking everything over too. While it might not be the cause giving everything a good look over is never time wasted.

 

[Leminako]

Hi - I replied to this thread ages back, but I had a severe prune of my posts recently, and deleted about 2,000 of my old posts - including this one. My 2006 used to do it quite a lot from brand new - fortunately, @Upt' North quoted my entire post - which is in post#7 above - 23 Oct 2018. - Click on the 'click to expand' text in the orange quoted bit. Brief summary: hot engine, thin oil, type of oil, low octane fuel, 'stale' fuel, ethanol mix - all made a contribution to this engine rattle or 'knock'.

Do the usual stuff - put in some quality fuel from a petrol station that is popular (ie the fuel doesn't sit around in the tanks for weeks on end), get some fuel injector cleaner and put it into a couple of tanks of fuel. Ride the bike without putting strain on the engine - ie keep the revs up high for long runs, and as soon as possible give it some quality fully synth oil 5w-40 0r 10w-40. I'm not saying it cured it, but all of that sure made a difference. It would always do it when accelerating really hard up steep hills if the engine was already hot.

The sound is not the same as the balance shaft rattle. That is a lower pitched 'gargling with marbles' sound. The pinking is like someone rattling a bunch of keys - so before you do anything else, make sure you don't keep your keys in the fairing pockets.

Hi John,
Thanks a lot for the extended answer. Yes that's absolutely true. It's not the noise you hear when you're in low revs and asking to much off the engine. It's really clattery metal sound when I'm in any gear you give it full throttle even if you start from +3000rpm or higher. I will try everything you've mentioned I do not now which fuel the previous owner put in end with such extreme low km's at 16 years off age. The bike probably sat still for long periods. And that's not a good thing I reckon?
Thanks
Grtz
Dieter

 

[Leminako]

Hi Dieter and welcome to the forum.
Does it make this same metal clattering under hard acceleration in multiple gears and speeds?
I know mine makes some unhappy noises if I'm in high gear and the RPM's are low and I don't downshift.
If so that might be normal-ish engine noise.
The other causes could be something loose / rubbing so spend some time just checking everything over too. While it might not be the cause giving everything a good look over is never time wasted.

Hello Obo,

Thanks for the welcome. Happy to be member and st1300 owner.
Yes the noise occurs in multiple gears and its when you give full throttle starting from reasonable high revs. So it's not lugging the engine from low revs. Looking for something loose is absolutely a thing I have to do.
I'm really hoping to find something easy as a shield loose or something similar. I'm afraid for inside the engine . I never bought such an "old" bike but the reputation off the silky smooth st1300 won me over. Unfortunately that's not what I'm experiencing now .
Thanks for the reply
Grtz
Dieter

 

[jfheath]

It might be worth checking that the previous owner has not installed plugs in the wrong temperature range for the engine.
The handbook states NGK CR7EH-9 plugs

One thing that might put your mind at rest - get out on the bike early in the morning. One of those summer mornings when the air is still and it is colder in the valley bottoms. The air is thicker, heavier and is carrying moisture. The engine always runs much sweeter in those conditions. If that makes it sound good, then at least you know the engine isn't full of metal bits rattling around.

 

[Leminako]

It might be worth checking that the previous owner has not installed plugs in the wrong temperature range for the engine.
The handbook states NGK CR7EH-9 plugs

One thing that might put your mind at rest - get out on the bike early in the morning. One of those summer mornings when the air is still and it is colder in the valley bottoms. The air is thicker, heavier and is carrying moisture. The engine always runs much sweeter in those conditions. If that makes it sound good, then at least you know the engine isn't full of metal bits rattling around.

Hi John,
Will check the spark plugs for sure. But my guess at this low mileage the plugs are probably the original ones. I'm planning oil service soon as I bought this from a private person if have no idea when the last service took place.
And with oil and oil filter I'm thinking to put while I'm busy 4 new plugs in. Will do more good than harm.
Will take your advice and see how she runs in a cold morning.
A lot off people say to me that you almost can't go wrong with an st1300.can you agree with that? I've only ridden triumph so that's my only comparison.

Grtz
Dieter

 

[jfheath]

They have been pretty reliable for me. This is my 2nd 1300, has just turned 50,000 miles. The first one I traded in for this after 70,000 miles.
I haven't had to do anything major to them - and they have taken us 2-up camping and touring all over Europe. Both have required new radiators - but that is down to a lot of winter riding on salty UK roads and not enough washing the salt off after riding. What has needed doing, I have done myself - learning as I go. Would I buy another ? Yes, if I could get one - but this one still feels like new to me. The trick is keeping on top of the maintenance - the official version AND the St-Owners know how - to prevent issues developing.

I've had two ST1100s before this - they were forever needing new silencers or so it seemed. Every 30,000 miles or so. Again salt corrosion - I commuted every day throughout winter. And the swing arm needed a lot of attention to keep it protected from going the same way. I have to say, the 1300 is much less demanding in that way with its stainless steel exhausts.

 

[Leminako]

They have been pretty reliable for me. This is my 2nd 1300, has just turned 50,000 miles. The first one I traded in for this after 70,000 miles.
I haven't had to do anything major to them - and they have taken us 2-up camping and touring all over Europe. Both have required new radiators - but that is down to a lot of winter riding on salty UK roads and not enough washing the salt off after riding. What has needed doing, I have done myself - learning as I go. Would I buy another ? Yes, if I could get one - but this one still feels like new to me. The trick is keeping on top of the maintenance - the official version AND the St-Owners know how - to prevent issues developing.

I've had two ST1100s before this - they were forever needing new silencers or so it seemed. Every 30,000 miles or so. Again salt corrosion - I commuted every day throughout winter. And the swing arm needed a lot of attention to keep it protected from going the same way. I have to say, the 1300 is much less demanding in that way with its stainless steel exhausts.

Hi John.

Even those mileages off you aren't extremely high. Should be no problem for an st1300.i have heard even 150000 miles without big problems.
The 1100 is indeed known for its corrosion. Didn't know that the silencers off the 1300 were stainless.
I also do maintenance myself. On my previous triumph not difficult to do as The Bonnie is 2cylinder And air/oil cooled.
This is my first liquid cooled bike and big tourer. So most things are not as easy accessible compared to my triumph.
Grtz
Dieter